Boating in Charleston area (Summerville, Myrtle Beach: insurance, homes, buying)

[belladee]

We are thinking about moving to Summerville. Everyone says that is only 30 minutes from the beach so we were going to keep our boat.

We take the boat out every weekend here in ft. lauderdale and cruise to miami. We look at all the georgous homes and then anchor out at a sandbar in maimi and go snorkeling and then on the way home we stop and one of a thousand resturants to eat.

What is the boating like in that area? Is there an intercostal with a lot to see, places to eat?

Thanks

[anonymous]

Originally Posted by belladee

We are thinking about moving to Summerville. Everyone says that is only 30 minutes from the beach so we were going to keep our boat.

We take the boat out every weekend here in ft. lauderdale and cruise to miami. We look at all the georgous homes and then anchor out at a sandbar in maimi and go snorkeling and then on the way home we stop and one of a thousand resturants to eat.

What is the boating like in that area? Is there an intercostal with a lot to see, places to eat?

Thanks

yes, there is. the intracoastal waterway runs through Charleston. I'm not an expert, but my understanding is that because of the way the ocean currents work, Charleston has a lot of slow-moving estuaries like tidal creeks and inlets. When you get up towards Myrtle Beach, or where I am in Wilmington, NC, something about the energy/speed of the water picks up, and you don't have nearly the amount of tidal marshes.

I doubt that Charleston has the snorkeling/diving that south Florida does, but I'm sure you can do it. And I know that there are restaurants where you can dock up, go inside, and eat. There are lots of places to go explore by water in that area.

[baylovers]

They have just opened a Freedom Boat Club in Georgetown. Does anyone have any experience or opinion regarding the organization? I see there is one in Mt Pleasant, Seabrook, N Myrtle Beach & Hilton Head as well.

[Captain Ed]

Charleston is a great boating locale, but it is nothing like Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. As anonymous poster said, the Lowcountry is comprised of numerous creeks and rivers making up a saltwater estuary. The Charleston harbor is a large body of water with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean. Don't expect clear water like you see in south Florida, however. Since the South Carolina coast is estuarine, the water is darkened by upland sediment being carried to the ocean. It isn't dirty, just nutrient rich.
The ICW runs right through the harbor. To the north of Charleston is Cape Romain and Bulls Bay, some of the most pristine coastline on the eastern seaboard. To the south you have St. Helena Sound and beautiful Beaufort, SC.
Have a look at Google Maps to get an idea of the coastline. I don't think you would regret keeping your boat.

[VaVet96]

Originally Posted by baylovers

They have just opened a Freedom Boat Club in Georgetown. Does anyone have any experience or opinion regarding the organization? I see there is one in Mt Pleasant, Seabrook, N Myrtle Beach & Hilton Head as well.

I've been a member for just over a year now. It's been a great experience - exactly as advertised. Their policy is to buy a new boat for every 10 new members, so we've always been able to get a nice boat. Here in Hampton Roads Va, the boat club operates out of 4 marinas with over 30 boats now to choose from. You do have to pay for gas, annual maintenance fees, and for any damages you do to a boat (though insurance is available to give you a lower deductibles). At today's gas prices at marinas, fuel is not insignificant. Everything else is included.
I'd never boated at all before last year. It's just something I wanted to do since my son is 13 now, and it's far easier to keep him involved with his ole Dad when there is a boat in the picture. The initial training was good, but you'll probably want more as time goes on - like the Coast Guard courses. We joined up for 5 years. Cost seemed a little steep at first, but it's reasonable compared to buying and maintaining your own vessel. By the 6th year, my son will be gone to college. We'll re-evaluate then to see if we want to sign up again.
We can go to any of the FBC locations all over the east coast too. Haven't done that yet though. Hard to get enough time away from work to travel much. Nice to know we could though. All in all, we're happy with our decision.

[mtplboat]

With lakes and waterways in abundance in this area we are looking at a jet ski. Just checked out Velocity Powersport's new place on Interstate 26 (near College Park exit) and WOW what a selection. This is the way to go for us. We're shooting for end of May.

[flgrammie]

Is ALL of South Florida moving up here? Be forewarned, the pace is slower and the people very polite. It takes some getting used to after living in South Florida. I've been here three years and still haven't completely adjusted. The first time a man held a door for me, I just stood there. I was used to the South Florida man opening the door, entering, and shutting the door in my face. LOL

[OleTomCat]

Welcome to the real South Grammie....

[flgrammie]

Originally Posted by OleTomCat

Welcome to the real South Grammie....

I must admit that I like the courtesy.

[emilybh]

Don't get your hopes up about the "yachting" or sailing scene down here. There are lots of marinas but few waterfront restaurants you can go to where you can just tie up your boat and go in to eat. The waterways are harder to navigate and much shallower than you are probably used to and much of the rivers and creeks are cloudy and have brownish water due to all the marsh land and the pluff mud. The other thing is, the pluff mud is very squishy and you might sink down into it if you tried to pull your boat up on the shore in many places. Certainly this isn't the case down by the beaches but the water can be rough so the beaches aren't ideal for pulling your boat to shore or anchoring and swimming to shore.

I think most people either pay the big bucks for a slip in a marina or take their chances with a mooring (which are frowned upon down here); or stand in line waiting for their turn to put their outboard motor boat in at one of the many boat ramps around. Then after they get their boat in they go fishing and at the end of the day come back and wait their turn to take their boat out of the water.

Also in today's paper there was an article warning people in their boats about Manatees in the water and warning them to be careful not to hit them especially with your motor. All in all navigating the waters here is much trickier than Florida or New England where I'm from-- but it can be done and lots of people do it. The boat ramps are very crowded on weekends.